America, Let's Talk Volume 1 | Page 15

Brenda Baichoo Executive Director of Angel Wings Family Services Brenda Baichoo is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where she received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduation she worked in the commercial insurance sector as an Underwriter. She has been married for 10 years and have been blessed with three handsome sons. Brenda stayed home to raise her boys for several years. Currently, she is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Angel Wings Family Services, Inc.; a foster care and adoption agency. Angel Wings Family Services place children that have been abused and/or neglected in loving, stable, and safe homes. Brenda is proud of the work she’s done to improve the lives of children in Houston and its surrounding communities; but she knows there’s much more that needs to be done. At Angel Wings we believe that every child is deserving of a loving, caring and supportive home. The mission of Angel Wings Family Services is to strengthen families, protect children from further abuse and neglect, and to ensure that every child has a safe, stable, and nurturing home until they can be reunited with their families, placed with relatives or adopted. Who Can Become A Foster Parent? Foster Parents MUST: • Be at least 23 years old • Have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. • Be physically and emotionally able to work with kids • Pass a criminal background check • Have a stable home & income • Maintain a drug-free environment • Complete ALL required training and become licensed by AWFS To decrease the number of disruptions in a child’s life To provide support, education and therapeutic services to our parents and children to meet their individual needs. To model and create an environment of love and acceptance To be a viable, strong and effective organization Becoming a licensed foster parent can be a lengthy process. During this time we hope to get to know each other because fostering a child is a shared experience. Foster parenting will be both challenging and rewarding. It is our hope that you will not just “foster” but also “parent” each child entrusted to you. You will be expected to provide a nurturing and loving environment, as well as recognize and respond to the special needs of each child in your care. Children come into foster care under various unfortunate circumstances. Children in foster care have to move around pretty frequently, and often have to put all their belongings in trash bags. Children pick up on the message that they are not worthy, their things are trash, and they are trash. These kids deserve better, and you can help! Foster Parents DO NOT have to be: • Married • Own their own home • Rich Call Us: (832)-453-2793 | [email protected] d12